Uttar Pradesh: Now no Friday namaz on road in Meerut

No namaz would be offered on the roads outside mosques and also during Friday prayers in six districts of Meerut, as ordered by the police. Strict instructions have been issued to district authorities by senior officials to not allow any namaz on roads as it causes disruption.

According to a report in The Statesman, the decision has caused unease among muslim clerics as a huge number of people turn up for namaz on Fridays. People who can not be accommodated inside the mosque sit outside and offer prayers.

Led by Nayab Shahar Qazi Zainur Rasheedin, a delegation had called on district authorities requesting them to reconsider the decision. The officials declined to give a second thought to it but said that offering namaz on the road during Eid would be permitted.

Muslim clerics have decided to follow the orders and are searching for alternate options. “We are law-abiding citizens and will follow the directions of the administration,” said Nayab Qazi Rasheedin, according to The Statesman.

IG Meerut range Alok Singh said that instructions have been given to police superintendents of all districts of the range (Noida, Ghaziabad, Hapur, Bulandshahar, Bagpat, and Meerut) to ensure hassle-free movement of traffic during namaz on Eid-ul-Adha.

Singh said that roads are meant for smooth flow of traffic and “we will not allow anyone to create blockade without prior notice or permission.” Officials have also been asked by the top brass to make tight security arrangements during the namaz on Bakrid which is on August 12.

“It has been decided that Mosque officials will use a roadside strip to offer namaz but not the main road,” said Nayab Qazi Rasheedin.

Ajay Kumar Sahni, SSP Meerut has asked officials of mosques to ensure that roads are not blocked during namaz and instructed that a stern action will be taken if it’s not followed. Police have marked at least three mosques in the city where namaz is offered on roads thereby causing traffic jams.